Mukota
Encyclopedia
Mukota is a breed of indigenous, domestic pig
found primarily in Zimbabwe
. It is also known as the Rhodesian Indigenous or Zimbabwe Indigenous pig.
Mukota pigs are black, hardy in the tropics, resistant to disease and poor nutrition, and require little water (6 liters per week). They fall into two broad classes. One is short and fat, with a short snout resembling that of the Chinese Lard pig. The other resembles the Windsnyer (Wind cutter), with long snout and razorback.
Mukotas are found primarily in Zimbabwe
(with an estimated 70,000 pigs), but also in Mozambique
and Zambia
. They are believed to have been introduced in the 17th century Europe
and China
trade (Bonsma and Joubert, 1952), and are named after the Mukota region of northeastern Zimbabwe, where they were first studied in detail.
Reproduction follows an annual rhythm with peak farrowing in the early rainy season (October/November). Age at first litter ranges from 6 to 12 months, with mean litter size between 6.5 and 7.5. Carcass yield is about 30% less than from the exotic Large White pig, but is considered tasty and "sweet".
These indigenous Zimbabwean pigs show moderate parasite tolerance, greater than the imported or western varieties. Zimbabwe's indigenous Mukota pigs are known to be less prone than imported varieties to internal parasites within commercial agriculture. A study evaluating parasite prevalence, by veterinarians from South Africa's Fort Hare University and the University of Zimbabwe, found moderate parasite infection in pigs from ten communal regions in Zimbabwe's Chirumhanzu district. (Sub-Saharan Africa gateway, Science and Development Network website)
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
found primarily in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. It is also known as the Rhodesian Indigenous or Zimbabwe Indigenous pig.
Mukota pigs are black, hardy in the tropics, resistant to disease and poor nutrition, and require little water (6 liters per week). They fall into two broad classes. One is short and fat, with a short snout resembling that of the Chinese Lard pig. The other resembles the Windsnyer (Wind cutter), with long snout and razorback.
Mukotas are found primarily in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
(with an estimated 70,000 pigs), but also in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
. They are believed to have been introduced in the 17th century Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
trade (Bonsma and Joubert, 1952), and are named after the Mukota region of northeastern Zimbabwe, where they were first studied in detail.
Reproduction follows an annual rhythm with peak farrowing in the early rainy season (October/November). Age at first litter ranges from 6 to 12 months, with mean litter size between 6.5 and 7.5. Carcass yield is about 30% less than from the exotic Large White pig, but is considered tasty and "sweet".
These indigenous Zimbabwean pigs show moderate parasite tolerance, greater than the imported or western varieties. Zimbabwe's indigenous Mukota pigs are known to be less prone than imported varieties to internal parasites within commercial agriculture. A study evaluating parasite prevalence, by veterinarians from South Africa's Fort Hare University and the University of Zimbabwe, found moderate parasite infection in pigs from ten communal regions in Zimbabwe's Chirumhanzu district. (Sub-Saharan Africa gateway, Science and Development Network website)